In front of the lush green rice fields, let's talk about the story of rice

The regions of Yiwu and Dongyang in Zhejiang are connected and have very similar geographical features, which can be summarized in four words: more mountains, less fields. Before the reform and opening up, most farmers relied on their fields to support their families. Within a year, paddy fields need to be planted in stages with wheat (or Astragalus sinicus), early rice, and late rice, which locals call "three crops a year." For dry land that depends on the weather, wheat and corn (or sweet potatoes) are planted. Because the transition time between early and late rice is very short, in the scorching sun of July, there is a rush to harvest early rice and plant late rice, commonly referred to as "double rush." If the planting of late rice is delayed, it could lead to a harvest of nothing. Back then, most of the rice fields in the countryside were cultivated according to the terrain, with various sizes, twists and turns, highs and lows, and odd shapes, relying solely on manual planting and harvesting. Later, the government invested a lot of money in farmland transformation. Small plots were consolidated into larger ones, suitable for mechanical operation. Nowadays, most of the rural fields are contracted by growers. However, no one thinks about "three crops a year" anymore. Barley and Astragalus sinicus, originally used to feed pigs, have disappeared. Many paddy fields only plant one season of rice a year, and the term "single-season rice" has emerged. The yield per mu has broken through 1,000 kilograms, exceeding the combined output of early and late rice in the past. But the quality of the rice from single-season rice can't compare with that of late rice. Therefore, few people from Yiwu and Dongyang buy locally produced rice. The rice that people usually eat is mostly from the Northeast, Jiangsu, or Jiangxi. In the countryside of Yiwu and Dongyang in early June, the "single-season rice" is already lush and green, like a carpet. After the rain, each leaf of the rice plant shines with a tender green luster, giving a sense of tranquility and harmony. Each rice field is a masterpiece of human labor and a painting of nature, full of hope and vitality. 'The fragrance of rice flowers heralds a good harvest year; listen to the chorus of frogs.' Standing in front of the lush green rice, one seems to be able to feel the breath of nature. The picture shows several rice photos I took at the foot of E'feng Mountain in Dachen Town, Yiwu City. The scenery of the countryside is in no way inferior to the parks in the city. 📍Detailed address: Dumencun, Dachen Town, Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province